Constable Lundi Nqwelo was called as a witness by the state prosecutors and testified that the defendant had been told by his ex-wife that their daughter had been raped by Malgas, The South African reported.

The father, ex-wife and a friend of the couple tracked down Malgas, who was based at St Philips Church in Gompo, and burst into his home intent on revenge, the court heard.

Nqwelo said the accused, who cannot be named as it would also reveal his daughter's identity, then severely beat Malgas and attempted to sever the preacher’s penis.

He did not complete the castration, but left the man with 'grievous' wounds, it is claimed.

The trio are then said to have escorted him, now in a life-threatening condition, to the Scenery Park Police Station, where they hoped he would be arrested.

East London police officers immediately called for medical assistance, but Malgas died in hospital.

It has not yet been established whether Mr Malgas was the perpetrator, but medical reports confirmed that the defendant's daughter had been raped, Nqwelo said.

The accused was denied bail and incarcerated yesterday ahead of the resumption of his trial.

The case has reportedly split the East London community and sparked an emotional debate on vigilante justice.

The courts are waiting on DNA evidence which will prove pivotal in the case.

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If the preacher is found to be guilty of the rape, the defence case will be strengthened.

East London bail magistrate Joel Caesar said the suspect was denied bail because the court cannot sanction vigilante justice, although he expressed sympathy with the daughter.

The trial will resume at a later date.

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